India rubbishes Nepal’s claim of providing security to truckers

New Delhi, Oct. 8 (ANI): Rubbishing the Nepal Government’s claim of providing adequate security to Indian truckers, Ministry of External Affairs’ Spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Thursday said there have been a number of incidents that have given rise to serious concerns about the security of freight forwarders and transporters.

Elaborating further, he said, “On September 22, one Indian fruit vendor was attacked and seriously injured by Nepal Police in Birgunj. A few trucks have also been attacked and put on fire. On October 5, two Indians transporters were attacked at Bhairahawa and seriously injured. In yet another incident in Birgunj, Nepal Police fired tear gas shells, some of which landed on the India side of the border. More than 200 Indian trucks, with drivers and support staff were detained for 10 days in Birgunj for some unknown reasons, while returning to India after delivering goods. On October 7, at Bhairahawa, six Indian truck drivers were beaten by Nepalese people in Nepalese customs area.”

He also rejected reports of Indian trucks not going to Nepal. “About 250-300 trucks are moving to Nepal, but they are not moving at the speed which we would like them to move and many of them are being obstructed on the Nepalese side of the border,” said Swarup.

“The movement is taking place across India-Nepal border, but they are obstructed on the account of protests and demonstrations on the Nepalese side,” he said.

“So, basically, the problem is really the security situation on the Nepalese side. Our freight forwarder and truckers have repeatedly told us that if you can guarantee that we would not be attacked and our consignment will be able to go freely, then, we are happy to go and unload there. But, as of now, that situation is not existing on the Nepalese side of the border,” Swarup added. (ANI)